Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest, Diani Beach

Great experience and a very nice your through the forest. Liked the atmosphere and calmness of the forest. It is a special place and not really comparable to any other landscape in Kenya. A really nice cultural short and relative cheap trip for a part of the day.

I recommend this tour combining learning about nature and the native people of the Coast AND discovering an ancient forest on coral rock with all senses on. The knowledge of the Digo people about plant species, tree burials and energy exchange is just being rediscovered. Call the phone number indicated on Google maps and reserve a tour slot. The fee for Kenyans is 500 KES, for residents 800 and for foreigners 1000. All the money goes into conservation efforts and supporting the Digo community. The entrance fee includes the tour guide. The last tour of the day is at 04pm because the tour guide closes the info house at 06pm and the forest is darker at dawn. There is a long tour (2h) to the freshwater spring and a shorter tour around the forest (1 - 1.5h), depending on how fit you are. Drive South on Diani Beach Road, past the paved road on the bumpy one, turn right after the sign for the forest comes and enter the parking spot. First, you will be introduced to the Digo culture and customs in the informational house because you cannot do certain things in the sacred forest and want to show respect while enjoying the tour. The tour is interactive and I encourage you to ask the guide lots of questions. I was amazed by the answers which showed vast ancient knowledge.

A really unique and authentic experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and it was interesting seeing first-hand how people lived in the forest. It is also a great nature visit, since this is one of the few places to see remaining primary forest, and the entrance fee (although a little high at 1000 KSH/pers) supports forest conservation.

We had an interesting tour learning about the local tribe, their religious beliefs and the different trees. It took around an hour. It is down an unpaved road and a little isolated but it was peaceful and a different experience from the rest of diani.

Beautiful and magical forest! Our guide Hamsa had so much knowledge and connection to the forest. Great experience! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature.